Inpatient/Outpatient US Clinical Experience in Pediatrics in Houston

Information about this clinical experience:

You will work with two pediatricians who are highly regarded for their patient care and teaching. The main preceptor has pediatric and family medicine residents from the McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Houston rotating in the practice. The physician holds staff appointments at Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. The preceptor is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Houston.

The second preceptor has decades of experience in pediatrics, having recently celebrated 50 years in practice. During a very distinguished career, this preceptor has formed strong bonds with patients, so much so that the doctor has even taken care of three generations within the same family. Known for delivering personalized care to families, this doctor goes to great lengths to ensure that patients get the care that they deserve.

In the clinic, you will have the chance to review the EMR prior to each patient encounter. This will ensure that you understand the patient’s medical and immunization history, as well as any previous developmental milestones. During the encounter, you will learn how to conduct a comprehensive history and exam and use this information to form differential diagnoses and develop treatment plans. You will then learn how the details of an outpatient visit are accurately charted in the EMR. You will also gain familiarity with how physicians in the U.S. prescribe medications through the EMR.

Please note that although this experience largely takes place in the outpatient setting, there is an inpatient component as well. Students rotating in the practice will also accompany the physician for newborn nursery rounds at a local hospital. Rotators interested in joining the preceptor for hospital rounds should inform the preceptor at the start of the rotation.

The physicians are on call for newborn nursery rounds at the hospital for two weeks of every month. During those two weeks, the frequency of the hospital visits will be dictated by whether births have occurred on the previous day.

During your experience, you will learn the following U.S. medical practices under the preceptor’s supervision:

• Takin patient histories.

• Performing physical exams under the physician's supervision.

• Presenting patients.

• Writing progress notes in EMR (Epic).

• Have opportunities to research the literature to answer clinical questions at      the point of care.

• Being involved in patient education.

• Spending time with other healthcare professionals to understand their roles and      responsibilities.

The activities above will mostly take place in the outpatient setting. As a result of hospital policies, inpatient activities will be more observational.